Sheet-feeder.



c. w. HARROLD.

SHEET FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. IBIS.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

bra-rm c. w. HARRD'LD.

SHET FEEDER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28,1916.

arlcs Al C. W. HARROLD.

SHEET FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. :8. i916.

1,275,679, EPate nted Aug. 13, 1918.

4 susnssuzar a.

C. W. HARHOLD.

SHEET FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. ms.

Patented Aug; 13, 1918 M'enesses UNITED sTArr s PATENT OFFICE.

cHAnLns w. Hannonb, or wannnn; .omo, assrenon rro rmi HA'aaIs au'r'omhrrc rnass cement, or muss, 01110, a eomona'rlon or OHIO.

snan'rvrnnnnn.

Application filed February 2 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES W. HARnoLn, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Warren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet- Feeders, of which the following is a speclfication.

My invention relates to mechanism for successively separating and feeding sheets of paper or similar material, and relates more particularly to machines for automatically feedin paper bags or sacks, when flattened out an stacked in apile, to aprinting'press or like machine, such feeders being mechanically operated and having the feeding mechanism include a suction separator combined withother novel instrumentalities to produce the requisite action in separating and feeding forward the successive sheets or bags from the pile. r

The objects of my invention are, among other things, to provide mechanism whereby the individual sheets or bags may be detached and fed from the stack or pile rapidly, and without any break or intermission in. place.

shown in Fig. 1;

in the forward succession of sheets, and furthermore, without disturbing or disarranging the balance of the pile; also to provide means for intermittently releasing the pressure or weight of the pile upon the sheet which is being separated and withdrawn, while holding the'ibalance of the pile firmly Afurther object is to provide a feeder of this general character ofsimple and ellicient construction and operation, with parts that are durable and not apt to get out of order. 7

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and explained, and particularly pointed out in the claims. r

The accompanying drawings show one embodiment of my invention, and serve, in connection with. the description herein, to fully ex lain the principles of my'inven tion, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying those principles in practice.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved feeding apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof looking from the left in Fig.1;-

' Fig.3 is an enlarged sectional plan view, the section being 'taken on the line Specification of Letters l atent.

8, 1918. Serial No. 80,887.

Fig. f is a diagrammatic view illustrating,

, one of the suckers engaging the upperportion of the pile and about to detach the outermost sheet; 5 Fig. 5 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustratin one of the suckerscarrying the outermost 5 act from the pile; Fig. 6' is a diagrammatic view'illustrating the upper pull-out roll lowered to withdraw the sheet or bag from the pile;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view of the sucker shaft, and one of the suckers mounted thereon;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the'line 8 --8 shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged side view of a form of vacuum controlling valve for the suckers; and w Fig. 10 is an endview of thecontrol-ling valve shown in Fig. 9. p r Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, '11 indicates shown) for receiving power to drive the feeder. Secured to the shaft 12 is the driving gear '13 enmeshed with the gear 14 mounted on the cam-shaft 15, to which are secured the various cam mechanisms and other devices for operating the different,

members comprised in my feeder, all of which will be hereafter described. Mounted on the cam-shaft 15 is the large gear 16,

whiclf engages with the gear 1'1 secured to the shaft 18, to'whichare affixed the lower ull-out rolls 19. The gear 16 also engages withthe idler. gear 20, journaled' on the stud 21 secured to the frame 11, and this gear also engages with the gear 22 mounted on the transverse shaft 23. Thisishaft' 23 cmries the rock-levers 24 (only one-being shown), the inner arms 25 ofwhi'ch'levers 24 have journaled in their 'endsthei'shaft Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

26; to which" are "secured the upper pull-out rolls 'xrfngmber,

on" ft with one another in pairs when in contact, as

. suitable spaces 2 and are also disposed to have shown in Fig.

between the separate pairs to accommodate the hereinafter described succarries the pin 32 upon which is pivoted the; piston rod 33- projecting from the cylinder, 34 aflixed to. the bracket 35 on .the lower 7 hereinafter described.

,fed forward from my" f eeder. the' ile-of sheets 36 is arran d and dis-' tion devices. Therespective lower and upper rolls 19 and 27 are adapted to rotate in unison and at the same peripheral speeds, through the chainof aring which I have just described, the r01 5 revolvin V in the directionof the arrows shown in ig. 6; and the size of the respective'gears 14 and 16 is such-,that the pull-out roller shafts 18 and 26 will "make substantially two. and three revolutions respectively, while the shaft 15 makes a -single revolution, as will be readily understood by those'skilled in the art.

Mounted on the opposite end of the driving-shaft 12 (Fig. 2) is the disk 31 which part of the frame 11, as shown in Fig. 2." he cylinder 34, with the piston therein;

'may be of any suitable'construction to pro-' duce a vacuum pf suflicient' degree to operate the separatlng suckers, which will Referring to Figs. 4,, 5 and 6, 36 indicates the stack or pile of superimposed sheets or bags' of paper or other material which are to be separated one by one and withdrawn and Preferably pose with their contiguouse ges in aline ment; and resting on in a slightly inclined :position in a suite; le rack or ho per xforme d in the frame 11, as shownxin lgs- ,4 and 6. However, it will be understood that mfeeder will opctategequally as well 1 so when t e pile 36' is arranged .vertically or at any intermediate angle; the. inclination which I have shown in'Fig. 4'has'b'een found in practice. very desirable in separating and feeding the sheets. As. shown in these fig ures; the-lower edges of the pile 36 rest upon a series of right-an'gled pile suplports37 having the upper parts carrying .t

' mounted on the transverse shaft .39 these supports are adjustableflonr the shaft 39 to secure the proper. angle. of inclination through thewset-screws 40, shown in Fig. '6.

Dispoec winfi f the central lower portion v of... the I pile-.36 .1;-

r of P fin? 7 th r0ckha t42, the

and backward movement on the shaft 42 buckled osition by the fingers 41 being normally he d 'slightly advanced from the transverse plane of the pile supports 37; the fingers 41 are shown in their normall advanced position bydotted lines in ig. 4 (only one beingshown). The reciprocating movement of the fingers 41 is accomllshed by the following mechanism: ounted on theshaft 42 is the arm43, having pivoted to its end the link 44' carrying the cam-roller 45 adapted to engage the cam 46" mounted on the cam-shaft 15. The outer end of the link 44 is slotted at '47, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, through which slot 47 the shaft 15 passes as the link 44-is horizontally reciprocated through its engagement with the revolving cam 46. The coil spring 48 connects the arm 43 with the cross rod 49, and-tends to pull .the fingers 41 away from the pile when they are not held in their advancedposition by the roller 45 riding along the high part of the cam 46. It will be understood the retraction of the fingers 41 is timed in conjunction with the withdrawal of the lower portion of the outermost sheet from the pile 36, as the front edge is seized by the pull-out rolls, as 'shown' in Fig. 6, so that this separated sheetvmay be readily removed from the-pile without tearing and with lessfriction than if the dead weight of -the pile bore against this sheet which is bein withdrawn and fed forwardly from the pi e 36. The retraction-of the fingers 41 is so abru t and rapid-that the inertia of the pile itsel preventsthe inherent weight of the associated sheets constituting the balance of the v pile from immediately or closely following the retracted support-fingers 41 itis during this instant of relieved pressure or, inherent .fin'gers. 41 may have retu ed to normal .be- [fore thd sheet 1s; fully withdrawn, yet tlie quickretraction of these supports has served its purpose "in relieving the inherent weight of the. pile itself atfthe very instant of the starting of 'the outermost sheetso that this a detached sheet is .under headway, and its bearing surface withattending' friction is constantly and ralpidly being reduced in p area as the sheet is'withdrawn from the ile. e brackets .38

The-upper portion of the "ile 36. is eld in position by a series of hp d-back fingers 50 secured. in brackets 51- mounted on the rock-shaft 52, journaled in the frame 11.

Secured to the rock-shaft 52- is'the rock-arm- 53 having pivoted on its end the link 54 carryinglthe cam-roller 55 adapted 'to :be

by the cam 56 mounted onthe camshaft 15. .The outer end ost the link 54 is mounted on the rod 62 slotted at 57 through which slot the camshaft 15 passes, as the link M is reciprocated, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, to lift and lower the hold-back fingers from the upper edges of the pile 36. The coil spring 58, connecting the pin59 on the link 54: to the cross-rod 60, normally holds the roller 55 in contact with the cam 56., The movement of the fingers 50 is timed through the form and mounting of the cam 56, so that the fingers will be lifted just as the sheet-detaching means are raised to engage the outermost sheet from the pile 36, shown in Fig. 4,

.and the fingers 50. return to their lowered position, as shown in Fig. 5, as soon as the upper edge of the detached sheet has been lowered sufliciently to carry the upper edge of the sheet out of the range of the descent of the fingers 50. Preferably, I also pro- .vide a series of inclined flexible sprin fingers 61, affixed to the cross-rod 62, which fingers 61 bear down upon the upper edges of the pile 36, as shown in Fig. 6; also are the depending brackets 63, having secured, at right angles "to their ends, the flexible spring clips 64,

which are arranged to extend outside the pile 36, and project laterally slightly within the side edges of the pile, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to contact with the outermost sheet of the pile 36 along the side margins of the sheets, giving an added rigidity'to the upper partof the pile 36 in its supporting rack or hopper. p

The sheet-detaching means comprises a series of suckers 65 (in this case four in number) mounted at the same transverse plane on the tubular shaft 66, and disposed on the shaft 66 so as to be reciprocated in the spaces between the pull-out rolls, as

- shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The construction of these suckers is shown more particularly in 7 and 8, and cgnsists of the hollow F s LL aped' arm .67m'ounted at right angles to ,the tubular shaft'66 with its hollow bore 68 engaging the port 69 in the shaft 66, as shown in Fig. 7; the outer end of the arm 67 is screw-threaded at 70, aild secured thereto is the block 71 carrying the flaring,

-comically-shiped lips 72, composed of rubber'or other'suitably yielding material, to engagthe surfaceof the outermost sheet. Secured to one end of the tubular shaft 66 is the pipe 73, which leads to the sucker conv trolwalve mechanism shown in detail in Figs}? and 10. Any suitable form of valve mechanism mayf. be used toregulate the proper [action ofthe suckers by making and breaking 'theevacuum therein. The device. I

have shown "is constructed as follows:

Mounted onth'e frame 11 is the I cylindrical valve box 74cbnnected to the tubulan shaft ipef76 'connects the box-,7

thr ugh the . ee s i e e east cillating movement of the valve 78 is secured and controlled by the cam 81 mounted on the camshaft 15, the cam 81 engaging with the ca1n-roller 82 pivoted ,to the arm 83 sccuredto the valve 78, as shown in Figs. 3, 9 and 10. When the arm 83 is moved to the'left, as shown in Fig. 9, the suckers 65 are in direct eomnmnication with the vacuum cylinder 34, through the tubular shaft 66, pipe 73, nort 7 5, opening 79, port 77, and pipe 76. Fig. 10 shows the opening 79 connecting the port and vent 80.

The suckers 65 are preferablymounted upon the shaft 66 with length and shape that they will engage the outermostsheet of the pile 36 alongthe u. per"margin thereof, the two exteriorusuc ers contacting with this outer sheet nearthe upper corners thereof, as shown inFi'gfSQQ and 4. The tubular shaft66',jcarrying, and

serving as a common. axis for, the suckers 65, extends transversely across the feeder, and is ivotally mounted at the ends in'ithe journal bearings 84 and 85. carried by the rocklevers 86 and 87, pivoted on either side of the frame ll on the studs 88 and'89 respectively, as shown in Fig. 2. The opposite arms 90 and 91 of the rock-levers 86 and87 respectively are connected by'the links 92 and 93, to the crank arms 94 and 95 respectively mounted in suitable relation to each other on opposite ends of the cam-,shaft'lfi, as shown .ilrFig. 3. To'secure an.oscillatorji motion, or partial rotation for the shaft 66 on its axis, 1 have rigidly secured thereto the arm 97 connected by the link 98 pivoted to a stud 9 9 in the frame 11, as shown in Figs. 3; and 6. Through-the rockingof the levers 86 and'87 by'the mechanism just described", the shaft 66 rises and falls through'thefseg mental slot in so doing arms 67 of sufficient 100 formed in the frame 11. and

moving uplink 98 swinging to the/left, as shown in Fig.

6. The swinging upward anddownward movement of the shaft 66 inthe slot 100,, combined with its complementar scill t s; or rotating action, 'alises {th suckers 653cc be successively l'fted and lowered ,so a to ee det hmn h -dawn r the 1 ers 12F? -t e remssale mounte to be seized by the pull-out rolls 19 and 27 to be thereafter withdrawn from the pile and.

fed forwardly to the feed-table 102 (Fig. 6). A. air of guide wheels 108 are loose y d on the shaft 66,;and when this shaft is in its highest position, as shown in Fig. 4, the peripheries of these guide wheels 103 bear. against the outermost sheet '101'of the pile 36, and the sheet is carried over such wheels while being, withdrawn from the pile, as shown in- Fig. 6.

The rotating upper pull-out rolls 27 are constructed so as to have a raisin and low.- ering movement in relation with't e rotating lower pull-out rolls 19, the shaft 26, upon which the rolls 27 are mounted, risi and falling through the slot 104 formed in the upper part are raised to form an opening in con'unction with their respective rolls 19 towar V and then. bend down the outermost sheet 101 from the pile 36; then the rolls 27 descend and contact with the lower rolls to seize this separated sheetslightly to the rear of the front edge, as shown in Fig. 6, then the rotating rolls 19 and 27 carry awaythe sheet prises the following: Mountedonthe shaft rock-arm 105, the end of which carries the link 106, slotted at 107, within which slot the cam-shaft passes as the link 106 is reciprocated; the outer end ofthe link 106 carries the cam-roller 108 adapted to en 'ge the cam 109 mounted on the shaft 15. $1enthe cam-roller 108 rides along the high'part of the cam 109 as shown in Fig.- theupper r0115 27 are liftedfwhen the 1 r108 contacts with the drop of the cam 1 ,a's'shown in Fig. 6, the upper rolls 27 are in contact A with their respective lower-rolls 19,'and.the' 16' front margin of the outermost s'heet 101 is caught 'therebetween, ready to be. withdrawn fromthe pile. 36, the suckers 65 having re- 1 leased their hold and passed below the line ofippening between the two sets cf. 'pull-out ro s. I

The operation of my sheet feeder is sub stantially as follows:' The stock or pile 36 ofsheets, bags or blanks to be separated and fed .is placed within the rack or he per formed as has been already shown an described with the pile release'fi'n rs 41 in their advanced position, oausin t e pile to slightly buckle along the centre lower portion. "flieires ctiye cams ,46, 56, '81 and tion with the position of the cranksafms 94 and ..)5,-'and with one another, as to first cause-'ithe suckers 65 to be lifted-antipertially rotated te -contact with,.and I "of suckers contact with the pile. The suckv.ers 65 engage the upper margin of the sheet the frame 11. The rolls 27 into which the suckers 65 first detach and and lows J the shaft 66 is-partially rotated contrato the feed-table 102. .The means =providedto raise and lower the upper rolls 27, com- 23 which carries the rock-levers 24 supporting the upper roll carrying shaft 26, is the as shown in, Fig. 5.

cam 109, which the lever" 24 the upper rolls 2'! to close the opening be- ,.-h.w;ing S. stantially the fo Show. i the figures, are severally mountedmd sefv k ,3 oamroller .the h gh pa 1 cured to the-cam-shaft 15 insuitable relai the outermost sheet 101 of the pile, as

in Fig. 4, the hold-back fingers having been meanwhile lifted as soon as the series 101 as well. as the extreme corners, and the suction control valve 78 has been opened, just prior to the contact of the suckers with the outermost sheet, b the cam 81, thereby connecting all the suc era with the vacuum cylinder 84, the parts constituting the valve mechanism being in the position shown in Fi 9. The simultaneous action of all four suc ers in fasteningthemselves to the upper margin of the'sheet 101 tends to loosen same and to admit airbetween suchsheet'101 and the'second sheet which aids indetachinf and separating the sheet 101' fromthe pi e without tearing, and also, without disarran 'ng the remainder of the pile. As soon ast e suckers have fastened themselves to the outermost sheet 101, they are quickly swung awa from the plane of the pile '36. from their raised position while clockwise during this movement, and the suckers snap the lateral .edges of .the sheet 101-by the clips 64,- which immediately .5 the pile 86 inits rigid position. Meanwhile. the old-back fingers 50 have been lowered therafter engage and hold the remainder of to hold the front up '1'- edges bf the pile B6,

portion being now detached from the ile,

=1s then bentover the guide wheels 1 as shown in Fig. 5, throng the lowering moire ment of the suckers '65.-

soon as the upper edgle ofthe sheet or bag 101 has been carriedbe ow the pflripheries of the u lifted upper pull-out re .27, the cam-ro er.108' r1 es oi the high part of the-up 11- roll' ower tween the'rolls 27 and the. rolls 19 to seizethefront m'a of the sheet 101. The rolls 27,.in dotted 1nes inFig. 5, are shown ar .tiallylowered, ready to p y, I margin of the sheet,.'while the...suckers'65 111s.

have descendedand' bentthis sheet 101 so, that it i ghsflrl 'in contact ,with the riph eries eithero s 19.1As soon as-t e'rolls 27 have been-completely lowered as. shown I J front margin of the-sheetis caught in thg bite of the'peripheries of the in Fig. 6, the.

rolls19 and ,and simultaneously therewiththe-valve 8.- is movedto connect the suckers with e atmosphere, through the w w by the. suck releaseitheir .g 18.6 the eam46 enablin theto-swingt y arm 48. to the-liaftl liig. di which re holdon the sheet, and. at-thej'same the rs 41, thereby momen:

the ile .release' as? y etraightening he ein sorrow its not as...

e sheet 101, itsupper i0 engagethey nt.-

, sheet- 101 over the amed mal buckled position. This combined simulby the pull-outrolls 19 and 27 over the-guide wheels 103, and deposited on the reed-table 102', allass'hown in Fig. 6. The suckers 65, it willb'enoted, have been lowered below and beyond the range of the ath of the ide whee s 103, and through the "opening etween the two sets of pull-out rolls, which have'a high peripheral speed' as hereinbefore set forth, and their perip 'era'l 'length through their faster revolutions, for each cycle of operations, is amply sufli'cient to deliver the sheet from the pile andcar'ry same forwardly to the feed-table 102., Thereafter the fingers ll are again ad'- vanced to buckle the pile, and the suckers are about to rise in the next cycle ofoperations to remove the second sheet from hep' le.

I claim as my invention:

1', In asheet-feeder, the combination with 'a support for a pile of sheets on edge, comprisln a series of vertically movable holdback ngers engaging the upper margins of the pile, of a pair of flexible clips bearing against thejside margins of the pile, means for' detaching the outermdst sheet from the clips, when the fingers are raised, and withdrawing same from the pile, and means for lowering said 'fiiigers when said sheet is derom the pile.

,QQ-In a sheet-feeder,the combination with an inclined support for a ile of sheets on edge; comprising'a series 0 vertically movable hold-back fingers engaging the upper nia ligins of thefpile, of a pair of flexible clips bearing against the side margins of the pile, and means for detaching the outermost sheet from the clips, when the fingers are raised, and withdrawing same from the pile,

,and, means fo'r. lowering said fingers when said sheet is detaohed'from the pile...

Inasheet-feeder, the combination. with a siippor't' for ya pile of sheets 'on ed'ge, comprising a series of vertically movable hold back fingers engaging the upper margins of the pile, ofa pair of flexible clips hearing against. the side margins ofthe pile, means or a clipa hen the fingers are raised, and-withdrawingsame from the pile, and means for r relieving. the inherent weight of the pile upon the detached sheet during its withdrawal from the pile.

,4. a sheet-feeder, the combination with arrjnclined su'pport for. a pile of sheets on edge, comprising, aiseriesjof vertically movable liold-back fingers. engagingthe upper.

margins of the pile, of a pair of'fiexible clips bearing against the side margins of the pile, means for detaching the outermost sheet taching' the outermost sheet-'from.-.the

1 from the clips, when the fingers are raised and withdrawing same from'the pile, an means for'relievmg the inherent weight of the pile upon the detached sheet'durmg its Withdrawal from the pile.

5. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, comprising a series of ve ."tic-ally movable hold back lingers engaging the upper margins of the pile, of a pair of flexible clips bearing against the side margins of the pile, means for detaching the outermost sheet from the clips, when the fingers are raised, and with drawing same from the. pile, and means for simultaneously relieving the inherent weight of the pile-upon the'detached sheet during its withdrawal from the pile.

6. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with an inclined support for a pile of sheets on edge, comprising. a series of vertically mov" able hold-back fin ers engaging the upper margins of the ie, of a pair of flexible clips bearing against the side margins of the clips, when the fingers are raised, and withdrawing same from the pile, and means for simultaneously relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon the'detached sheet during its withdrawal from the pile.

7. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, comprisin a series of vertically movable holdback ngers engaging the upper margins of the pile, of a pair of flexible clips bearing agains the sidemargins' of the pile, means for de achin the outermost sheet from the clips,.vshen t 1e fingers are raised, and withdrawing same from the pile, and means for simultaneously and momentarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon the detaehed sheet during its withdrawal from the 1 e. p 8. In ash-zet-fecder, the combination with an inclined support for a ile of' sheets on r edge, comprising a series 0 vertically movable hold-back fingers engaging the upper margins of the ile, of a pair of flexible clips bearing agalnst'the side margins of the pile, means for detaching the outermost drawal from the pile.

9-. In a sheet feeder, the combination with a support for. a pile of sheets, of pneumatic suction devices rotatably mounted to detach the upper end of the outer sheet from the I pile} enacting reciprocable means for engag- .i'ng said detached upper end and drawing the sheet from the-pile, and rotatable means carried by the suctiondevices-over which said detached end is bent within said sheet engagi'ng means.

10. In a shcetnfeeder, the comblnation with a support for a pile of sheets, of pneumatic suction devices rotatably mounted to detach the upper end of the outer sheet from the pile, coacting vertically reciproeatable means for engaging said detached upper end and drawing t e sheet from the pi e, and rotatable means carried by the suction devices over which said detached and is bent within said sheet-enga ing means.

11. In a sheet fee er, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of pneumatic suction devices rotatably mounted (to detach the upper end of the outer sheet from the ile,coactmg reciprccatable rollers ositive y driven at a like peripheral spee for engaging said .detached upper end and drawing the sheet from the pile, and rotatable means carried by the suction devices over which said detached end is bent within said sheet-en 'ng means.

- 12. In a eet feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of pneu- -matic suction devices rotatably mounted to detach the upper end of the outer sheet from the pile, coacting vertically reciprocatabie rollers positively driven at a like peripheral speed for. engaging said detached upper end and drawing the sheet from the pile, and rotatable means carried by the suction devices over which said detached end isJbent within said sheet-engaging means.

, 13. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a su ort for a pile of sheets, of means for detac ln'g one end of the outer sheet 86 from the 'pile, separate reciprocatable means for enga ng said detached end and drawing the eet from the pile, and means for reieving the inherent weight of the pile upon the detached sheet during its withdrawal from the pile. I

1*}. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a su ort for a pile of sheets, of means for detac mg one end of the outer sheet fromthe pile, separate vertically reci r0-.,

catable means for engaging said detac edend and drawing the sheet from the pile, and meansfor ieving the inherent weight of the pile upon the detached sheet during its withdrawal from thepile.

' 5Q 15,, a sheet-feeder, the .eombination 'with a su port for a pile of sheets, of

annotate 1n .-one end of th'. the pi e, separate Acatable rotary means for liter sheet verti ly ,pile, 3 andmanner relieving1 wei 't tithe. pile; upon the tarily relievin ;.ta'ched end and drawing the sheet sem -m means for simultaneously and-magi;

theinherent weight'of engaging. d asaitached .end and draw'ing-the sheet from the.

the inherent,

. hed sheet thdrawal-from'the pile.

- pile, means carried by said detachi pile, and means for relievin imam:

for detaching one end of the outer sheetfrom the pile, separate vertieall reciprocatable, means for engaging sai detached enfl. and drawing the sheet from the pile,

and means'for momentarily relievin the inherent weightof the pile upon the etached sheet-during its withdrawal from the pile.

18. In a; sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of means for detac in one end of the outer sheet from the pi e, separate vertically recipro catable rotary means for engaging. said detached end and drawing the sheet from the pile, and means for momentarily relieving the nherent weight of the pile upon the detachid' sheet during its withdrawal from the lllQ.

1 In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of means for].de taching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, separate reciprocatable' means for engaging said detached end anddrawing' the sheet from the pile, and means for simultaneously and momentarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon .the detached sheet during, its withdrawal from the .pile. Y

forgiletac m from the pi e, separate verticall reciprocatable means for engaging sai tached end-and drawing the sheet from t pile, and means for simultaneously and iiiom'en the inherent weight 'ofhthe pile u n the etached sheet during its-with draws from the pile.

with a support for a pile oi sheets, of means one end of the outer sheet 21.111 a sh t-feeder, the combination.

with a su from 'the pi e, separate vertically i'flbiplm catahle rotary means for engaging said d mm. y reliev the; p e upon the etached sheet during withdij'awal' from the pile.

man asheetfeeden the communes was.

ile of sheets, of meahsfor goneen of the outer sheet from the a sup for a detaelifii means a part the body of the pile while said e cooperating nil-out rolls for engaging said detached en ,1 means for rotating the rolls to withdraw the detached sheet from -the 'the inherent weight of the pile upon'the eta'ched sheet,

23. In a sheet-feeder, the combination means are in action, reciprocata'ble port for a pile of sheets, of means for detac in one end of the outer sheet .no

,. from the pile, means carried by said deengaging tating 't taching means to Support the body of the pile while said detaching means are in action, vertically reciprocatahle cooperating pull-out rolls for engaging said detached end, "means for rotating the rolls to withdraw the detached sheet from the pile, and

means to; relieving the inherent weight of the pile ipon the detached sheet.

24. Iii'aslieet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets. of means for detaching one end of'the outer sheet from the p'ile; means carried by said detaching means to support the body ofthe pile while said detaching means are in action, of reciprocatable 'cofiperating pull'out rolls for e rolls to withdraw the detached sheet from the pile, and means for simultaneously relieving the inherent weight of the-pile upon the detached sheet.

In a sheet-feeder, the combination with asupport for a pile of sheets, of means for detaching one end of the outer sheet fIOIlitl'lB pile, means carried by said detaching means to support the body of the pile ""27? n" a'*-sheet-feeder, the combination while said detaching means are in action, vertically reciprocatable cooperating pullout rolls for engagin said detached end, means for rotating tl e rolls to withdraw thedetached sheet from the pile, and means for simultaneously relieving the inherent weightbf the pile under the detached sheet. i 26. In a sheet feeder, the combination 'vith 'a'fsiipport for a' pile of sheets, of means for! detaching one end of the outer sheet from the'pile, means carried by said detaching means to support the body of the pile while-said detaching means are inaction, ,reciproc'at'able cooperating ullout rolls for engagin" said detached en ,means for rotating 't eiolls to withdraw the detached sheet from the pile, and means for momen tarily 'relieving the inherent weight of the pile 'u" on the detached'sheeta with asupportfor a pile' of sheets, of means,

foi' detach ngone end ofgthe outer sheet fi'omthepile', means carried by said detachin""'ineans to support-the body ofthe pilefw iil'e'" said detaching, means arein actib'ii, vertically reciprocatable coo erati'n' p'ull' out" rolls for engaging said etache eifd,"means 'for rotating the. rolls to with draw the detached sheet from the ile, and ineansformomentarily relieving t e inherent' 'weight of\the' pile upon the detached sheetq 285111 a. sheet feeder, the combination" with'a sup ort for -a pile ofsheetjs, of means for detach 'ng oneend of the outersheet from the pile, means carried by said detachsaid detached end,,means or ro-' .sheet from the pile, means for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, means carried by said detaching means to support the body of the pile while said detaching means are in action, vertically reciprocatable cooperating pull-out rolls for engaging-said detached end, means for rotating the rolls to withdraw the detached sheet from the pile, and means for simultaneously and momentarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon the detached sheet.

30. In a sheet feeder, the combination with an inclined support'for a pile of sheets on edge, of means comprisin a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of the outer moving said sucker toward and'fi'om the pile, means for oscillating-said sucker in unison with said sucker-moving means, sucker to support the body of the pilewhile said sucker is in action, an air-exhausting means to produce a partial vacuum in'the sucker, means for breaking said vacuum, two coacting reciprocatable rotary means having the same peripheral speed for directly en agin said detached end and drawing the cot rom the pile, and means for operating said vacuum-breaking means when said rotary means has engaged the detached sheet. 7

31.'In a sheet feeder, the combination with a supportfor a pile of sheets, of means comprisinga neumatic sucker forlletaohing one end 0 the outer sheet from the pile, means for moving said sucker toward and. from the pile,-means comprising 'a rock arm and, link connection with the feeder, for simultaneously oscillating said sucker in unison with said sucker-moving means, means carried by. said sucker-to support the body "of thelpile while said sucker is in action, an air exhausting means to produce a partial vacuum in. the sucker, means, for, vacuum, reciprocatable rotary" said-detached end andvacuum-breaking means cans hasengaged the de-i,

mm the pile, and means? ing one end of the outer sheet from the pile, means for moving saidsucker toward and means carried by said i comprising a pneumatic sucker for detach;

' from the pile, meahs comprising a rock-arm H; and-link connection wit I oscillatingsaid sucker in. unison with said L verticallyjreoiprocatable rotary means for the s set from the pile, "and'mean's for-op enga 'ng said detach8d,,.end and drawing erating saidvacuum-breakin' means when said rot-airy means h gngag the defiqll d 4 with a support for a pile :of sheets, of means comprising. a pneumatic sucker for. detaching one end of the outer sheet 'from the pile,

sheet.

38. In a sheet feeder, the combination means for moving said sucker toward and from-the pile, means com rising a rock-arm and link connection. wit simultaneously oscillating said sucker in unison said sucker-moving means, means carried by said sucker to support the body of the pile while said' sucker is-in aotion, an air-exhausting means toproduce 'a' able rota partial vacuum the sucker, means for reaking said vacuum, verticpllyreciprocatmeans for 'engaing"said detached an and drawing thej s set from the pile, and means for operatingsaid vacuum-- eaking means when said rotary means has engagedthe detached sheet. 4

34. In a sheet; feeder,"-"-fthe j-6ombination.

with a support fora pile "of of means. comprising a pneumatic sucker for detach-d; 1n

sucker in umson with said -sucker-movingmeans, an air-exhausting mehns 'to produce a tached sheet, andmeans inherent weight. o1v th c mpm ms s ing one endo outer 526B.

from the z'z-pil' "means drawing the s eet operatingsaid vacuum-bros when s'ai 'jsaid Yacuum, r i Mutable a. I

aid 6M0; endia'nd rotary means durin with ra'wal 35. n a sheet-feeder,

conitinsti with as pp r or w l o sh s means fofi moving said su oscillating saidsuckeijin unison m reciprocatabl'e rotary means for engaj f means, an air sucker, means fol-breaking said isaid detached end and drawing the set from thepilfl means. for operatingqsaid vacuum -brea kmg 1 heaps when said rotary said vacuum, I

the feeder for sheet duringiwithdrawal.

comprisi "sucker-mo f one end of the outer sheet from pi e, means for moving said sucker-toward, and ironi the pile, means for oscillating meanes or; was

.- outer sheet from the: Pllfly rotatable w rollinto mania with" v the sheetis ben to move separa he 'm l nsur said etes coasting oscillating operate. all

s in Proper WW for rotating'saldro'ilsin um'son to draw the pile upon said sheet during withdrawal.

36. In a sheet-feeder, the combination witha support for a pile of sheets, of means comprising a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end'of the outer sheet from the pile means for moving said sucker toward an from the pile, means for oscillating said sucker-in unison with said sucker-moving means, an air-exhausting means to produce a partial vacuum in the sucker, means for breaking said vacuum, vertically reciprocateble rotary means for engaging said detached end and drawing the sheet fromthe ile, means for operating said vacuum-brea' means when said rota means has enga the detached shee an means for rehevm the inherent weig t of the pile upon 37..In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of means .a neumatic sucker for detaching'one a, o the outer sheet from the 'pile, means for moving said :sucker toward and from thd pile, means for simultaneously as- 'd sucker in unison with said means, an airex"hausting means to p uc'e a 'p'artial vacuum inthe sucker, means for" breaking said vacuum, vertically reci rqcatable rota means for engaging said eta'ohed end an the sheet from the pile, means for-operating vacuum-breaking means when said means has en god the detached an 1 means for rehevm the inherent vimght of thepile upon said ,ee't during withdrawal.

188-111 a "sheetfeeder, the combination hm i c; Pi e s, of, p r. enema flpul1out rolls, means. to Beg: rate said ano tween, in to detach one end o 'th'e'outer sheet from fe pile, rotatable carried b said -d over which d rolls-together to'englge-saifld said meansvin proper succession, said. rolls in. unisonand for rotating todraw the sheet the: ile; 89. In a'fisheeter, e combination with! port for a of sheets, of a pair '0' pull-out rolls, means to move oneoi said rolls to finake anopening between; meansgtodetach. one end by said detaching into said. opening, mom to; V I

40. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of a pair of rotatable pull-out rolls, means to separate said rolls to make an opening therebetween, means to detach one end of the outer sheet from the pile and'bend same into said o iening, means to draw said rolls to ether to engage said detached end, means or rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile, and means for relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said sheet during withdrawal.

ll. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of a pair of rotatable pull-out roll-s, means to move one of said rolls to make an opening there between, n' eans to, detachone end of the outer sheet from the pile and bend same into said opening, means to move said separated roll into contact with the other roll to engage said detached end, means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile, and means for relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said sheet during Withdrawal.

-12. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of a pair of rota-table pull-out rolls, means to separate said rolls to make an opening therebetween, means to detach one end of the outer sheet from the pile and bend same into said opening, means to draw said rolls together to engage said detached end, means for rotating said rolls in. unison to draw the sheet from the pile, and meansfor momentarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said sheet during withdrawal.

=13. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a siuiport for a pile of sheets, of a pair of rotatable pull-out rolls,'means to move one of said rolls to make an opening there between, means to detach one end of the outer sheet from the pile and bend same into saidopening, means to move said separated roll into contact with the other roll to en- :gage said detachedend, means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile, and means for moment-arlly rclieving the inherent weight ofthe pile upon sucker in coiiperativerelation with said suckerqnovmg means, an air-exhausting means to produce a partial vacuum in'the sucker, means for breaking said vacuum, means to move said separated roll into'oontact with the other roll to engage said de tached end, means for operating said vacuum-breaking means when, said rolls have engaged said sheet, and means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from. the pile.

45. In a sheetfeeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets, of a pair of rota-tal'ile pull-out rolls, means to move one of said rolls to make an opening'therebetween, a pneumatic sucker for detaching have engaged said sheet, and means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile.

46. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a su port for a pile of sheets, of a pair of rotata le pull-out rolls, means to move one of said rolls to make an openingtherebetween, .a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, means for moving said sucker toward and from the pile, means for oscillating said sucker in cooperative relation with said sucker-moving means, an air-exhausting means to produce a partia-l vacuum in the sucker, means for breaking said vacuum, means to move said separated roll into con tact with the other roll to engage said detached end, means for operatin said vacuum-breaking means whensaid rolls have engaged said sheet, means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile, and means for relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said sheet durin withdrawal. I

47, n a sheet-.feeder, the combination with a support 'for a pile of sheets, of a pair of rotatable pull-out rolls, means to move one of said rolls to make an "opening therebetween, a. pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, means for moving said sucker toward and from the pile, means for, oscillating said sucker in cooperative relation with said sucker-moving means, an air-exhausting means to produce a partial vacuum in the sucker, means for breaking said vacuum, means to move said separated roll into contact with the other roll" to engage said de' tached end. means for operating said vacuum-breaking means when said rolls have engaged saidsheet, means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the, pile, and means for momentarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said sheet during withdrawal.

48. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a su ort for a pile of sheets, of a pair 5 of rotata e pull-out rolls, meansto'vmovfe one of said rolls to make an 0 therebetween a pneumatic sucker in! 'd tae'hing one en I means :for moving said sucker toward and from the pile, means for simultaneously oscillat-ing' said sucker in coiiperative relationwith said sucker-moving means, an air-exhausting means to produce a part al vacuum in the .sucker,jmeans for breaking and vacuum, means to move said separated roll into eontaetwith the other roll to engage said detached-end, means for operating said racuum-brea means when saidrolls have io fzfizg a 1- sheet, means for rotating said ia- .=unisen to draw thesheet from the pile, and means-formom'entarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said I gers are raised, afpair o rotatable pull-ont rolls, means to lift the upper of sa1drolls the outer sheet from thepileyw en said 'fina to make an opening therebetween, means for Y reciprocatin said sucker while oscillating -same towar 'and from the pile, an air-exhaust-ing meansto produce a partial vacuum in the sucker, means for breaking said.

40 vacuum, means'to lower said upper roll to on go saiddetached end,-mea ns fonoperatlng sai dvacuum-breaking means after-said rolls have enga said, sheet, and Ameans for rotating sai rolls in unison to drawthe of the outer sheet from the pile,

sheet during wit drawal.

.52. In a sheet-feeder, the combination engaged said sheet, and means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile.-

51. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, 7

I gers are raised, apair 0 mtatable'pull-out rolls, means to lift the 11 per of said rolls to make an'openi reciprocating said sucker while oscillating same towar and from the pile, an air-exhausting. mean s'to produce a partial vacuum in the sucker, means for breaking said vacuum, means to lower 'sa-idupper roll to engage said detached end, means for operating said vacuum-breaking means after said rolls have engaged said sheet,.lneans for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from'the pile,-and means for relieving the inherent wei ht of the with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, comprising a series of vertically -movable hold-hack fingers engaging the up r .margigs of the pile, of a pair of flexi lile clips ring against the side margins ofthe pile,

a'pneumatic sucker for detachi one end of 1 the outer'sheetfrom the File, w en said fingers are raised, a air o rotatable pull-out rolls,- means to ii the upper of said rolls to make an opening therebetween, means for lifting and lowering said suckers while simultaneously oscillating same toward and from the pile, an air-exhausting means to produce a part-ial vaeuum in the sucker,

, means" for breaking said'vacuuln, means to;

lower saidupper roll to engage saidde-' pile upon said i there tween, means for 45 sheet from the pile. I tached 1en'd means for'operating said vac- 50. In a. sh t-feeder, :the combination uum-breakmg'means after said rol-ls have with a QPPQ' 'F pr'apile ofsheetson edge, engaged said-sheet, means for rotating said com rising --a series of' ye rt-icall'y'j.'-n1oYa le,, role in unison to draw the sheet from the be -back fingers engagingv'the-up fir marpile, and meansfor relievingithe pressure the outer sheet from-the pile, when said fingers areraisdifigafpaifb rotatable pull-out e'om rising-' a-series of ;'vertically-mova 5 rolls, means talift the upper of said rolls be] back. fingers engaging thelipprer mayto make an opening therebetween, means for 'ns of the of a pair of flexl le cli lifting and lowering ,said suckers wl1ile." si-; ring agar the sldemargm offlg f I I multaneousl oscillating same toward and a pneumatic sucker for detaching one eqj from athe pile, an air exhausting means to I of the outer sheet fiom the pile, whep;iid 50 produce-a partial vacuum' in the sucker, fingersare raised, a llI.l'- 0f-lf0tltblfii means for breaking said tofr out rolls, means toift'theu lower-said upper roll-ate saiddo- ,rolls to make an m tached end, means for operating said" meens for reclproeat uum-breaking meansaftersaidrolls have -;oecillatmg sam t u .with'a su por for pile'of sheets onjulge, 4 le of the pile of apair offlei-i e cli s of the pile upon said sheet during withbearing against theside margins of the pi e, -drawal.* g I a pneumatic sucker forjdetaching-one endof 53. In 1, sheet-feeder, the combination an air-exhausting means to produce a partial vacuum in the sucker, means for breaking said vacuum, means to lower said upper rol to engage said detached end, means for operating said vacuum-breaking means after said rolls have engaged said sheet, means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile, and means for momentarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said sheet during withdrawal.

54. In a sheet feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge,

' comprising a series of vertically movable hold-back fingers engaging the upper mar: gins of the pile, of a pair of flexible clips bearing against the side margins of the pile,

a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of fl'ie outer sheet from the pile, when said fingers are raised, a pair of rotatable pullout rolls, means to lift the upper of said rolls to make an opening therebetween, means for lifting and lowering said suckers while simuitaneously oscillating same toward and from the pile, an air-exhausting means to produce a partial vacuum in the sucker, means or breaking said vacuum,

means to lower said upper roll to engage said detached end, means for operating said vacuum-breaking means after said rolls have engaged said sheet, means for rotating said rolls in unison to draw the sheet from the pile, and means for momentarily relieving the inherent weight of the pile upon said sheet during withdrawal.

'55, la a sheet-feeder, the combination with a snpport for a pile of sheets on edge, of a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatable means carried by the sucker, means for engaging said detachecl end and withdrawing the sheet from the pile, and means, com-- prising a rock-arm and link connection with the feeder, for raising and rotating said sucker toward, and for lowering and retating said sucker away from, the pile to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheet-engaging'means.

56. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, of a plurality of pneumatic suckers for detaehing one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatable-qneans carried by the sucker, means for engaging said detached end and withdrawing thesheet from thevpile, and means, comprising a rock-arm and link connection with the feeder, for raising and rotating saidsuckers toward, and for lowering and rotating said suckers away from, the

,pile to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheet-engaging means. a i

57. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, of a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatable means carried by the sucker, means for engaging said detached end and withdrawing the sheet from the pile, and means, comprising a'rock arm and link connection with the feeder, for raising and rotating said sucker toward, and for lowering and ro tating said sucker away from, the pile, in unison, to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheet-engaging means.

58. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, of a plurality of pneumatic suckers for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatablemeans carried by the suckers, means for engaging said detached end and withdrawing the sheet from the pile, and means, comprising a rockar1n and link connection with the feeder, for raising and rotating said suckers toward, and for lowering and rotating said suckers away from, the pile, in unison, to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheetengaging means.

59. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on edge, of a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatable means carried by the sucker, means for engaging said detached end and withdrawing the sheet from .the pile, and a single mechanism, comprising a coacting rock-lever, rockarm and link connection with the feeder, for raising and rotating said sucker toward, and for lowering and rotating said sucker away from, the pile to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheet-engaging means.

60. In a sheetfeeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on, edge, of a plurality of pneumatic suckers for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatable means carried by the suckers,

, means for engaging said detached end and withdrawing the sheet from the pile, and a single mechanism, comprising a coacting rock-lever, rock-arm and link connection with the feeder, for raising and rotating said suckers toward, and for lowering and rotating said suckers away from, the pile to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheet-engaging means.

61. 1 In a sheet-feeder, the combination with'a support for a pile of sheets on edge,

of a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end coact'ing rock-lever, rock-arm and nection with the feeder, for raising and-roii s and for lowering and rotating said sucker away from, the pile, in unison, tobend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheet-engaging means.

62. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a support for a pile of sheets on ed e, of a' plurality of pneumatic suckers for e- .tachin .one end of the outer sheet from the pi e, rotatable means carried by the suckers, means for engaging said detached endand withdrawing the sheet from the pile, and a single mechanism, comprising a.

ink oontating said suckers toward, and for lowering and rotating said suckers away from thepile, in unison, to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheetengaging means.

63. In a sheet-feeder, the oombination with a support for a pile of sheets onedge, of a pneumatic sucker for detaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatable means carried by the sucker, means for em;

gaging said detached end and Withdrawing the sheet from the ile, and means, comprisv ing 'a' rook-arm an link connection with the feeder, for simultaneously raising and rotating said suclter toward,and for simultan-y olisly lowering and rotating said sucker away; from, the pile to bend said detached end over said rotatable meansl-i within said sheet-engaging means.- v

-- 64 In a sheetfeeder, the combination with a support fora pile of sheets on ed e,

of a plurality of pneumatic suckers for etaching one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatable means carried by the snake means for engagin .said det'ached end an withdrawing the's 'eet from the ile, and-- ameans, 00m risinga i-o'ck-armand eon-- ho] -bwek gins of nection wit the feeder, for simultaneousl raising and rotating said suckers town and for simultaneously lowering and may .ing said suckers away from, the pile to bend said detached end over said rotatable-means} within said sheet-engagmg means.

-65. a sheet-feeder, :the

, with-as'upport for. a pile of shew-on 0' of: pneumatic sucker for detaching one. of. the outer sheet fronnthe pile, rotatable means carried by thesucker, means forenfrom-thep' sndmeans, comprissaid detached-end and .t esheet the feeder, for simultaneously and.

o er-{ ud Ithm Said pfivort for sprig 'ura ty of v.

. nection" wit pile.

with au inclinedsapportfo'r a rock-arm and k connection taehing one end of the outer sheet from the pile, rotatablemeans carried by the suckers, means for engagin sai detached end and withdrawing the s eet mm the ile, and means, comprising a rock-arm and ink conthe feeder, for simultaneous] raisin and rotating said suckers town-r, and a or simultaneously lowering and rotating said suckers away from, the pile, in unison, to bend said detached end over said rotatable means within said sheet-enoomprising a series of vertically movable hold-back fingers engaging the uppler maging t e gins of the ile, of means for detae outermost s eet from the pile, means, oomprisin'g'a series of flexible cli members, for

supporting the upper body 0 the ile, when said fingers are raised to-permit't e detaching means to withdraw said outermost sheet from the pile, and means for 'loweringsaid fingers when said sheet is detached from the .68. In a sheet-feeder, the eombin'ation with aninclined support for a pile of sheets Qon'edge, oomrising a series of vertically movable ho] -ba ck fingers engaging the means for upper margins of the pile, of detaching the outermost sheet from the pile, means, comprising}. series of flexible cli p members, for supporting the upper body of the pile, when said rs are raised to permit the :detaching'means to withdraw saidoutermost sheetfrom the pile, and

means for. lowering said sheet is'detached from the e.

when said -69. In a sheet-feeder, the 'eombination with a support for a pile of sheets on com risingfi i series of vertt%lc:lly mova let.

5g5 engaging upppr mar j the of means for detac ing the outermostjsli eet from the pile, and notatable bod'yof-the ilewhen lingers to perniit, t e

' ofthep' means orsu porting super pile, when silid fingers said outermost sheetthe pile 71.11:- a' sheet-feeder, the.

' *with a supportjfora pile 0t sheets on ofpneumatie sucker devices for carried byeaid time mea.ns 'can'iedbyrsaid v v ete ing mm to withdrfl'. a d sheet a pile of sheets a series of vertioally:

I and rotatable means carried by the sucker the pile ahd rotatable means carried by the devices for supporting the upper body of sucker devices for su porting the upper 10 the pile, while the suker devlees are withbody of the pile, while t e sucker devices are drawing the outer sheet from the pile. withdrawin the outer sheet from the pile. 72. In a sheet-feeder, the combination fiHARLES W. HARROLD. with an inclined support for a pile of sheets Witnesses: v on edge, of pneumatic sucker devlces for i C. G. PRITCHARD, detaching one end of the outer sheht from A. D. Looy. 

